Relationship between the self-incompatibility and cAMP level in Lilium longiflorum.

The elongation of pollen tubes in Lilium longiflorum cv. Hinomoto after self-incompatible pollination stopped halfway, but that after cross-compatible pollination (cross with cv. Georgia) did not. The elongation of pollen tubes after self-pollination was enhanced by exogenous cAMP and by pertussis toxin or cholera toxin, which activates adenylate cyclase. The level of endogenous cAMP in pistils after self-pollination was approximately one half of that after cross-pollination. Furthermore, the activity of adenylate cyclase in pistils after self-pollination was also approximately one half of that after cross-pollination. By contrast, cAMP phosphodiesterase in pistils after self-pollination was approximately 2 times as high as that after cross-pollination. A possible correlation between self-incompatibility and the low level of endogenous cAMP in lily pistils is discussed on the basis of these results.     

Self-Incompatibility Involved in the Level of Acetylcholine and cAMP

Elongation of pollen tubes in pistils after self-pollination of Lilium longiflorum cv. Hinomoto exhibiting strong gametophytic self-incompatibility was promoted by cAMP and also promoted by some metabolic modulators, namely, activators (forskolin and cholera toxin) of adenylate cyclase and inhibitors (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and pertussis) of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. Moreover, the elongation was promoted by acetylcholine (ACh) and other choline derivatives, such as acetylthiocholine, L-α-phosphatidylcholine and chlorocholinechloride [CCC; (2-chloroethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride]. A potent inhibitor (neostigmine) of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as well as acetylcholine also promoted the elongation. cAMP enhanced choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity and suppressed AChE activity in the pistils, suggesting that the results are closely correlated with self-incompatibility in L. longiflorum. In short, it came to light that cAMP modulates ChAT (acetylcholine-forming enzyme) and AChE (acetylchoine-decomposing enzyme) activities to enhance the level of ACh in the pistils of L. logiflorum after self-incompatible pollination. These results indicate that the self-incompatibility on self-pollination is caused by low levels of ACh and/or cAMP.Key Words: pollen tubes, self-incompatibility, Lilium longiflorum, cAMP, acetylcholie, AChE, ChATCyclic AMP (cAMP) is an essential signaling molecule in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.¹ The existence of cAMP in higher plants was questioned by some reviewers^2–4 in the mid 1970''s, so that many workers were discouraged from studying roles in plant biology. However, its presence was confirmed by mass spectrometry⁵ and infrared spectrometry⁶ in the early 1980''s and increasing evidence^7–12 now suggests that cAMP makes important contributions in plant cells, as in animals.Lily (Lilium longiflorum) exhibits strong gametophytic self-incompatibility.^13,14 Thus, elongation of pollen tubes in the pistil after self-incompatible pollination in L. longiflorum cv. Hinomoto stops halfway, in contrast to the case after cross-compatible pollination (cross with cv. Georgia).¹⁴ This self-incompatibility appears to be associated with the stress and self-incompatible pollination on stigmas of lilies results in activation and/or induction of enzymes such as NADH- and NADPH-dependent oxidases, xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and ascorbate peroxidase in the pistils.¹⁵ The activities of NADH- and NADPH-dependent oxidases (O₂⁻-forming enzymes), however, are known to be suppressed by cAMP¹⁶ and increase in the level of cAMP in guinea pig neutrophils results in their decreased expression.¹⁷ The level of O₂⁻ reactions with SOD is also decreased by cAMP.¹⁸ In the case of the lily, inhibition of NADH- and NADPH-dependent oxidases by cAMP was found to be noncompetitive with NAD(P)H.¹⁶ We hypothesized that decrease in active oxygen species such as O₂⁻ and suppression of stress enzyme activities in self-pollinated pistils of lily by cAMP might cause elongation of pollen tubes after self-pollination and this proved to be the case. Namely, elongation of pollen tubes after self-incompatible pollination in lily was promoted by exogenous cAMP at a concentration as low as 10 nM, a conceivable physiological level.¹³ Moreover, similar elongation could be achieved with adenylate cyclase activators [forskolin(FK) and cholera toxin] and cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors [3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and pertussis toxin].^14,19 These phenomena led us to examine the involvement of endogenous cAMP in pistils after self-incompatible or cross-compatible pollination. As expected, the level of endogenous cAMP in pistils after self-pollination was approximately one half of that after cross-pollination. Furthermore, this was associated with a concomitant decrease in adenylate cyclase and increase in cAMP phosphodiesterase.¹⁹Many researchers in the field of plant biology have been unsuccessful in attempts to estimate the quantity of cAMP and to detect activities of adenylate cyclase and cAMP phosphodiesterase. On major difficulty is the presence of proteases and we have overcome this problem by using protease inhibitors, such as aprotinin and leupeptin.¹⁹In 1947, acetylcholine (ACh) of higher plants was first reported in a nettle (Urtica urens) found in the Himalaya mountain range.²⁰ In 1983, its existence in plants was confirmed by mass spectrometry of preparations from Vigna seedlings.²¹ In our preliminary studies, CCC (chlorocholinechloride), a plant growth retardant (specifically an anti-gibberellin), enhanced the elongation of the pollen tubes in pistils after self-incompatible pollination in lilies. This led us to investigate whether other choline derivatives cause similar effects and positive findings were obtained with ACh, acetylthiocholine and L-α-phosphatidlylcholine.²² Moreover, the elongation was also promoted by neostigmine, an inhibitor of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity. In line with these results, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) demonstrated low and AChE high activity in pistils after self-incompatible pollination.The positive influence of cAMP^14,19 and ACh²² in pistils of L. longiflorum after self-incompatible pollination encouraged us to examine the involvement of these two molecules in regulation of pollen tube elongation of lily after self-incompatible and cross-compatible pollination. As a result, it was revealed that cAMP promotes ChAT and suppresses AChE activity in pistils after both self- and cross-pollination. In other words, the self-incompatibilty in pistils of L. longiflorum appears to be due to levels of ACh and/or cAMP below certain threshold values.Hitherto, these substances have not been recognized to play important roles in the metabolic systems of higher plants. However, given their conservation through evolution, it is natural that such central metabolic substances make essential contributions, regardless of the organism. We have succeeded in establishing physiological functions of cAMP and ACh in pistils of lily^14,19,22 and this points to use of plant reproductive organs such as research materials. The exact responsibilities of the two molecules may depend on differences in tissues or organs of plants and further molecular biological studies in this area are clearly warranted. This issue is currently being investigated.     

A Connection between the Self-Incompatibility Mechanism and the Stress Response in Lily

An attempt was made to examine the possible connection betweenself-incompatibility in Lilium longiflorum and the stress responseusing pistils after self-incompatible pollination. The growthof pollen tubes in the pistil after self-incompatible pollinationwas promoted by treatment with germanium compounds [(GeCH₂CH₂COOH)₂O₃and GeO₂], which are scavengers of active oxygen species, suchas O₂^– and H₂O₂. The promotion by germanium compoundsof the growth of pollen tubes after self-incompatible pollinationwas reflected by the detection of elevated levels of activityof superoxide-forming NADPH-dependent oxidase, xanthine oxidase,superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, allof which are associated with stress responses, in pistils uponself-incompatible pollination as compared to the activitiesof these enzymes after cross-compatible pollination. A possibleconnection between self-incompatibility and stress in pistilsupon self-incompatible pollination is discussed on the basisof these results. (Received October 9, 1995; Accepted November 11, 1996)     

Does cholinesterase participate in the intercellular interactions in pollen-pistil system?

Hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine and butyrylthiocholine has been observed in aqueous extracts from petunia pollen and pistils. The reproductive organs of self-compatible clone showed a higher rate of choline ester hydrolysis than those of self-incompatible clone. The highest rate of acetylthiocholine hydrolysis blocked by the cholinesterase inhibitors (physostigmine and neostigmine) was characteristic for the pollen of self-compatible clone. The incomplete (25 - 40 %) inhibition of hydrolysis in pistil extracts of self-compatible clone suggests the presence of unspecific esterases. The eight-fold lower hydrolysis was observed in the pistils of self-incompatible clone as compared to the pistils of compatible clone; neostigmine completely blocked this low hydrolytic activity. The treatment of flower buds with physostigmine and neostigmine (10-5 - 10-3 M) decreased the seed production by 10 - 20 % in compatible clone. When the surfaces of pistil stigmae were treated with physostigmine and neostigmine (10-5 - 10-3 M) before pollination, the seed formation was inhibited by 95 % after both self- and cross-pollination. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Pollen Viability and Pollen-tube Growth Following Controlled Pollination and their Relation to Low Fruit Production in Teak (Tectona grandisLinn. f.)

Pollen released at 1100 h has the highest viability (92.2%)but is no longer viable 3 d (84 h) after anthesis.In vitropollen-tubegrowth is fast (140 µm h^-1) and increases significantlywithin the first 8 h.In vivopollen tubes also grow quickly andreach the base of the style within 2 h after pollination andenter the micropyle 8 h after pollination. There is no significantdifference between self- and cross-pollination in either therate and the number of pollen tubes in the pistil and the numberof ovules penetrated by a pollen tube. Teak has late-actinggametophytic self-incompatibility; the majority of pollen tubesgrow through the style but some do not continue to grow fromthe style towards the embryo sacs. Pollen-tube abnormalitiesinclude swollen, reversed, forked and tapered tips and irregularand spiralling tubes. These are most prevalent in self-pollination(20.4%). The index of self-incompatibility of 0.17 and low fruitset following self-pollination (2.49%) indicates that teak ismostly self-incompatible. Drastic fruit abortion occurs withinthe first week following controlled pollination. Within 14 d,fruit size and fruit set from cross-pollination is generallymuch greater than from self-pollination. Tectona grandis; pollen viability; pollen-tube growth; pollination; controlled pollinations; incompatibility.     

Ethylene synthesis in petunia stigma tissues governs the growth of pollen tubes in progamic phase of fertilization

In the pollen-pistil system of petunia (Petunia hybrida L.) self-compatible and self-incompatible clones within 7 h after self-pollination, we determined the content of ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid), the activity of two enzymes (ACC synthase and ACC oxidase), and the rate of ethylene production. Depending on the type of pollination, germination of pollen on the stigma surface and the pollen tube growth in the tissues of style were accompanied by different levels of ACC and ethylene release. The pollen-pistil system of the self-compatible clone contained twice more ACC than in the self-incompatible clone, whereas the pollen-pistil system in the self-incompatible clone produced 4–5 times more ethylene than in the self-compatible clone. For both types of pollination, ACC and ethylene were predominantly produced in the stigma tissues. The rate of ethylene production therein was 50 times greater than in the styles and ovaries, and the content of ACC was 100 times higher than in the styles and ovaries. Germination of male gametophyte after both types of pollination was accompanied by elevated ACC synthase activity (especially in the case of compatible pollination), whereas notable increase in ACC oxidase activity was manifested in growing pollen tubes after self-incompatible pollination     

Late-acting self-incompatibility in tea plant (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Camellia sinensis</Emphasis>)

The self-incompatibility of tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) was studied with the methods of aniline blue fluorescence assay and paraffin sections. The characteristics of pollen tube elongation after hand pollination was analyzed in 4 tea cultivars, including ‘Keemenzhong’, ‘Longjing-changye’, ‘Fuding-dabaicha’ and ‘Yabukita’, under self-pollination and cross-pollination, respectively. Although there were some difference among cultivars, pollen tubes elongated through the style and reach the ovary successfully at 48 h after pollination for both cross- and self-pollen tubes in all the four cultivars of tea. Pollen tubes entered into the ovule micropyles, however, only for cross-pollination, but not for self-pollination. Pollen tubes of selfing plants, failed in fertilizing, seemed have some difficulties to enter the ovule. All of which indicated that the self-incompatibility of tea plant is a late-acting self-incompatibility system (LSI) or an ovarian sterility (OS), in which the self incompatibility was due to none self pollen tube penetrating into the ovule and no fertilization.     

Effects of Inhibitors of Protein Serine/Threonine Phosphatases on Pollination in Brassica

We have examined the effect of the protein phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid and microcystin on pollen-pistil interactions in Brassica. Inhibitor-treated flowers or floral buds were pollinated with untreated pollen and examined for pollen tube growth by fluorescence microscopy. Our results show that type 1 or type 2A serine/threonine phosphatases play a crucial role in the pollination responses of Brassica. We observed two distinct effects of protein phosphatase inhibitors on pollination: (a) the inhibition of pollen tube growth during cross-pollination in flowers, and (b) the break-down of self-incompatibility or promotion of pollen tube growth during self-pollination in flower buds just prior to anthesis. Thus, treatment of flower pistils with protein phosphatase inhibitors resulted in the inhibition of pollen tube growth at the surface of the papillar cells of the stigma in crosses between different self-incompatible Brassica oleracea strains, in an interspecific cross between B. oleracea and Brassica campestris, and in self-pollinations of a self-fertile Brassica napus cultivar. With four different self-incompatibility genotypes, treatment of mature flowers with protein phosphatase inhibitors had no effect on self-pollination response. In contrast, treatment of flower buds just prior to the anthesis stage allowed self-pollen tube invasion of papillar cells. However, the magnitude of this effect was genotype dependent, being most pronounced in the S22 genotype. The data support the conclusion that pollinations in Brassica are controlled in part by the presence of phosphorylated proteins in the papillar cells of the stigma, and that the quantity of these proteins or their levels of phosphorylation changes during stigma development.     

Self-incompatibility reactions and compatible pollen-tube growth are retained with in vitro pollinations of sugar beet,Beta vulgaris L.

Summary It is shown that in vitro pollination can be used in future studies of the time course of pollen-tube development and analysis of self-incompatibility in sugar beet, Beta vulgaris L. Upon selfng a self-incompatible genotype showed the same incompatibility response after both in vitro and in vivo pollinations. No differences between cross-compatible and self-compatible pollentube growth were observed. The pollen-tube rejection occurred whether or not the pollen was prehydrated. RNA staining with Acridine Orange showed that there was less cellular RNA in the pistil tissue from in vitro-pollinated flowers. Nevertheless, pollen-tube growth and the self-incompatibility response were similar after in vivo and in vitro pollinations.     

Analysis of stylar self-incompatibility competence by use of heat induced inactivation

Summary Immersion of Lilium longiflorum pistils in 49 °C water for increasing durations of 1,2,3, or 4 minutes immediately prior to incompatible pollination resulted in a correspondingly progressive decrease in the stylar self-incompatibility competence, as determined from the lengths attained by pollen tubes during 48 hours growth in the styles at 24 °C. Neither pistils remaining on the plant nor those detached from the plant which were immersed after anthesis in 49 °C water for 5 minutes regained self-incompatibility competence during a 48 hour incubation at 24 °C prior to incompatible pollination. Heat treatment of detached pistils as early as 39 hours prior to bud anthesis also resulted in an inactivation of stylar self-incompatibility competence when incompatible pollination was made at 24 hours after anthesis. Experiments utilizing heat treatment of partial lengths of detached whole styles revealed that pollen tubes which have grown through as much at 45 millimeters of either a physiologically incompatible or compatible portion of the style are still capable of shifting to either a higher growth rate or lower growth rate upon entry into respectively either a physiologically compatible or incompatible portion of the style.     

Gametophyte–Sporophyte Interactions in the Pollen–Pistil System: 4. The Hormonal Status and the Mechanism of Self-Incompatibility

Following 4 and 8 h after self-incompatible pollination of Petunia hybrida plants, ethylene evolution and the contents of IAA, ABA, and cytokinins were measured in pistils and their parts (stigma, style, and ovary). The germination and initial growth of pollen tubes within the initial 4 h of the experiment were accompanied with an almost tenfold increase of the rate of ethylene production by the stigma and a twofold increase of the ABA content in the stigma and style. The inhibition of pollen tube growth in the style tissues during next 4 h coincided with a fivefold increase in the cytokinin content in the style, while high ABA content was maintained in the stigma and style. The authors conclude that phytohormones participate in the mechanism of gametophyte self-incompatibility.     

Ultrastructural aspects of pollen tube growth inhibition after gamma irradiation in Lycopersicum peruvianum

Summary Gamma ray treatments at various doses were applied to flowers after cross-compatible pollinations (S₁S₄ × S₁₂S₁₃) and self-incompatible pollinations (S₁S₄ × S₁S₄). After 200 kR treatment (highest dose) a high percentage of pollen became non-viable, and tube growth of all the germinated pollen was inhibited at the first third, or just before half the length of the style. Observations on the ultrastructural aspects revealed that the pollen tubes were destroyed by a precise degradation process which led to the disappearance of the inner wall, lysis of the tube, accumulation of several bipartite particles and alteration of endoplasmic reticulum into a whorl of concentric circles. These results indicated that the high dose of gamma rays probably interferes with protein synthesis. The ultrastructural aspects of compatible pollen tubes after gamma irradiation were similar to those of self-incompatible tubes and therefore it is suggested that cessation of protein synthesis might also be a result of incompatibility.Electron microscopy observations after treatment with 200 kR gamma rays on flowers after self-incompatible pollination (S₁S₄ × S₁S₄) showed that gamma irradiation affects the self-incompatibility reaction; but the results obtained so far are difficult to explain.     

Regulations of the C2H4-forming system and the H2O2-scavenging system by heat treatment associated with self incompatibility in lily

The mechanism of self incompatibility in pistils of Lilium longiflorum Thunb. cv. Hinomoto, which is overcome by heat treatment, was analyzed. Immersing detached pistils in a distilled water bath held at 45°C for 5 min suppressed levels of ethylene and activities of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase at 6 h after self- and cross-incompatible pollination. However, the levels and activities showed no significant difference 48 h after pollination. Levels of ACC and activities of ACC synthase at 6 h after self-incompatible pollination were lower in pistils with heat treatment. Moreover, the heat treatment suppressed the activity of superoxide dismutase and enhanced the activity of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase. In addition, the amount of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was reduced by heat treatment. In summary, heat treatment suppressed the ethylene-forming system and also enhanced the hydrogen peroxide-scavenging system in self-pollinated pistils associated with self incompatibility. A possible correlation between self incompatibility and stress in pistils after self-incompatible pollination is discussed based on the results obtained using heated pistils. Received: 12 April 2000 / Revision accepted: 19 September 2000     

Programmed-cell-death hallmarks in incompatible pollen and papillar stigma cells of Olea europaea L. under free pollination

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a process that occurs both in animals and in plants and is an essential element in developmental processes. Pollination is a key factor in fruit production and self-incompatibility is one of the main limiting factors of this process. PCD has recently been put forward as a possible cause of pollen-growth arrest. As far as the olive is concerned, no data have been published concerning the mechanisms involved in hindering the growth of pollen tubes in incompatible pollen. Thus, we have studied olive pistils excised from freely pollinated flowers at different stages before and during the progamic phase using different cytochemical techniques, including trypan blue staining. To discover whether the elimination of incompatible pollen might be associated to PCD, we applied different tests to the excised pistils: (1) TUNEL assay; (2) DNA degradation analysis; (3) detection of caspase-3-like activity. Once we had determined that PCD was involved in pollen selection after free pollination, we conducted experiments after controlled pollination in pistils excised from flowers: (a) developing in the absence of pollen; (b) pollinated with sterile pollen that does not germinate; (c) self-pollinated; (d) pollinated with compatible pollen. Our results demonstrate that the growth of tubes in incompatible pollen is halted in the stylar area in a way that suggests the intervention of PCD. Furthermore, any pollen, even if sterile, seemed to accelerate PCD in papillar cells in the olive.     

Changes in pollen tube behaviour induced by carbon dioxide and their role in overcoming self-incompatibility in Brassica

Summary Comparative studies on self-pollination after the application of high concentrations of CO₂ gas, which is known to overcome the self-incompatibility reaction in Cruciferous species, have revealed significant changes in the pollen tubes of germinating grains prior to their penetration into the papilla cells. A remarkable increase in the width of the pollen tube was induced by treating the stigmatic papillae with high CO₂ concentrations. The width of the pollen tube appeared to be greatest with CO₂ concentrations ranging from 3% to 5%; these concentrations were also optimal for tube penetration. Callose accumulation was extensively induced in the stigmatic papilla with 10%–20% of CO₂, although a typical callosic reaction remained through the ranges appropriate for blocking self-incompatibility. Observations using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) after pollination revealed that compatible pollen tubes in cross-pollinations fused completely to the papular surface during tube penetration, while in self-pollination, pollen tubes remained on the papilla with some additional diffusate. In the case of CO₂ treatment for self-pollination, some pollen tubes behaved very similarly to the incompatible or compatible ones already described, while others were different from both of them: they showed a complete fusion, similar to compatible ones, with additional diffusate, similar to incompatible ones. These responses of the pollen and stigma to high CO₂ concentrations are discussed with respect to their effect upon the expression of self-incompatibility.     

The breeding system of Lycium cestroides: a Solanaceae with ovarian self-incompatibility

To determine the breeding system of Lycium cestroides,several treatments were performed: self-, cross-, and geitonogamous pollinations, autonomous self-pollination, and a control (flowers exposed to natural pollinators). Production and quality of fruits and seeds as well as pollen tube growth were evaluated for each treatment. Experimental pollinations indicate that L. cestroides is self-incompatible since fruits were obtained only under cross-, and open-pollination treatments. However, in self- and geitonogamous hand pollinations, as well as in autonomous self-pollination, pollen tubes developed successfully and reached the ovules. The speed of pollen tube growth did not differ significantly among the different hand-pollinated flowers (cross-, self-, and geitonogamous). These facts indicate the presence of an ovarian self-incompatibility system. Significant differences were observed in fruit set, fruit size, and seed number per fruit between cross-pollinated flowers and open pollination (control). These results could be explained in terms of quantity and quality of pollination in each case. Received: 2 November 2000 / Revision accepted: 26 January 2001     

‘晚大新高’梨授粉及受精过程的显微动态研究

应用荧光显微法和石蜡切片解剖法对‘晚大新高’梨授粉受精过程进行了系统观察研究。结果表明：‘晚大新高’梨自花授粉不结实;异花最佳授粉品种为‘黄花’,其次为‘翠冠’和‘丰水’。与选用‘黄花’为异花授粉品种相比,自花和异花的授粉受精过程存在明显差异,自花花粉在授粉后2h开始萌发,8h花粉管生长至离柱头约1／3处停止生长,顶端膨大呈球形,表现出自交不亲和性;异花花粉在授粉后1h开始部分萌发,8h花粉管生长至花柱中部,24h到达花柱基部并进入子房,48h进入胚囊,72h完成双受精过程。     

同域分布柽柳属两种植物的传粉生物学研究

以同域分布于新疆南部的早春开花植物短穗柽柳(Tamarix laxa Willd)和紫杆柽柳(T.androssowii Litw)为材料,对它们的开花式样、花部特征、花报酬特点、传粉特性及交配方式进行比较研究。结果表明,2种植物居群和个体水平的花期及单花寿命间存在显著差异;紫杆柽柳的居群花期比短穗柽柳短,而短穗柽柳个体花期和单花寿命比紫杆柽柳长。2种柽柳的花瓣、雌雄蕊长度、花粉胚珠数及花粉/胚珠比值(P/O)间也存在显著差异。二者的花瓣、雌雄蕊均能分泌香味,访花频率与花蜜量均存在正相关。主要传粉者在短穗柽柳上的访花频率和沉积花粉效率高于紫杆柽柳,且存在显著差异。2种植物通过自花和异花授粉均可结实,属于混合交配系统;二者的自交不亲和指数及花粉限制程度间存在显著差异;紫杆柽柳的自交亲和性高于短穗柽柳,而短穗柽柳的花粉限制指数高于紫杆柽柳。因此,2种柽柳的开花式样、花部特征及花报酬的差异,是它们在传粉者受限的早春环境中为吸引更多的访花昆虫、提高雌性繁殖率所形成的繁殖对策。     

Status of self-pollen in bee pollination efficiency of white clover (Trifolium repens L.)

Flowers of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) are hermaphrodite and self-incompatible; their cross-pollination depends entirely on insect visitors, mainly bees (Apoidea). Because self-pollination of white clover occurs before flower anthesis, we determined whether selfing affected the pollination efficiency of a honeybee visit. We compared pollen deposition in emasculated and intact flowers following (1) a single honeybee visit, (2) open-pollination for a day and (3) enclosure in a cloth bag to prevent insect visits. In emasculated flowers, open-pollination resulted in more pollen deposited than after one visit (+30%) which is consistent with flowers being visited more than once by pollinators during the course of a day. On intact flowers, saturation of the stigma was achieved after the first visit of a honeybee (near 280 grains) because of self-pollination. Additional visits did not increase pollen deposits, but they improved pollen efficiency in terms of numbers of pollen tubes reaching the ovules. In such a context of easily saturated stigmas, self-pollen does not inhibit cross-pollen activity, but represents a constraint for pollination which demands multiple bee visits to each flower to achieve maximum fertilization. Received: 20 May 1997 / Accepted: 25 October 1997     

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors neostigmine and physostigmine inhibit induction of alpha-amylase activity during seed germination in barley, Hordeum vulgare var. Jyoti

Acetylcholine (ACh) is an important neurotransmitter whose non-neuronal biological roles are being widely accepted. ACh and components of its metabolism are present in plants. ACh and some inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) share structural similarity (quaternary ammonium group) with some inhibitors of biosynthesis of a plant hormone, gibberellic acid (GA); e.g., 2-Isopropyl-4-dimethylamino-5-methylphenyl-1-piperidine carboxylate methyl chloride (AMO-1618) inhibits GA biosynthesis as well as AChE. The present study explores the possibility that ACh and antiAChE may inhibit GA biosynthesis. Seeds of barley var. Jyoti were germinated in the presence of ACh, its breakdown products - choline and acetate, and two antiAChE - neostigmine and physostigmine (all 10(-5) M). Alpha amylase activity in germinating seeds was measured as a reliable indicator of the level of GA biosynthesis. Alpha amylase activity in barley seeds was significantly reduced after 72 h of treatment with antiChE but not by ACh or its breakdown products. Since germinating barley seeds contain AChE, much of the ACh may have been broken down before its uptake. Quaternary ammonium antiChE neostigmine was more effective (50% inhibition at 10(-5) M) as compared to tertiary ammonium physostigmine (15% inhibition at 10(-5) M). ACh, choline, acetate, neostigmine and physostigmine (all 10(-5) M) did not affect formation of starch-iodine complex or activity of alpha-amylase per se. Our results indicate that quaternary ammonium inhibitors of AChE may inhibit GA biosynthesis.